UAE to reopen its embassy in Syria for first time in 7 years

The United Arab Emirates is set to reopen its embassy in Damascus for the first time since 2011, the Syrian Information Ministry stated on Thursday.

The UAE embassy has been closed following the Syrian uprising which erupted seven years ago.

The move is considered a significant diplomatic shift which is expected to support the regime of the Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, and comes after nearly a week after Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir’s visit to Damascus.

Al-Bashir was the first Arab leader to visit the war-torn country since the Syrian civil war erupted. He met with Al-Assad, who asserted during the meeting that Syria is secured by Arab states and remaining true towards Arab consolidation.

Shortly after the Syrian uprising began in 2011, Damascus was suspended from the Arab League.

Most Arab and regional countries closed their embassies and cut diplomatic ties with Syria, condemning the use of military force against protesters and civilians.